(Thumbnail image: White House Flickr)

“You know what they say—keep your friends close, but visit the Republican caucus every few months.” (MSNBC)

President Obama followed through on a promise to engage Republicans--visiting them on their own turf.  With cameras rolling…he fielded questions, debated policy and took a few jabs.  The name of the game was bipartisanship.  But pundits say this is the start of Democrats’ new tactic—direct engagement.

We’ve got perspectives from MSNBC, The Washington Post, Fox News and CNN.

First up – MSNBC’s Chris Matthews lays out the strategy behind Mr. Obama’s new approach.

“What the president wants to do—he wants to put the Republicans in a situation where they either try to join him in trying to solve our problems or be seen walking away.  They only have two choices now: walk into the room and negotiate or walk away.  Both on camera.”  

The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein writes the Obama camp would love more of these open debates—but don’t plan on it.

“Republicans are already spreading the word that they made a mistake allowing cameras into the event. Apparently, transparency sounds better in press releases than it does in practice.”

On FOX News, two politicians-turned-pundits give their not-so-bipartisan reviews of the president’s performance…

FERRARO: “If you listen to the discussion that went on and the discussion that went on—he had seen some of those proposals already…many of them.  He was conversant in them.  He had already done his homework.”

SANTORUM: “This was an intent to convince the American public that the president really cares what the Republicans have to say and he’s really going to reach out to them.  But that was not accomplished in my mind.”     

Finally on CNN’s State of the Union, conservative analyst Mary Matalin says Mr. Obama might have looked good appearing bipartisan this week—but the plan could very well backfire.

“He also jujitsued his mid-term election plans because he accepted and embraced Republican ideas, which rejected his campaign tactic, which was the party of no and the party of old ideas.  He put on record everything with which he agrees. ... As wonderful as it was for a short-term advantage to the president, it will be a mid-term advantage to the Republicans and a long-term advantage to the country.”   

So do you think the president really wants to work with Republicans?  Or is this just another game?

Writer: Chance Seales

Producer: Nathan Giannini